Method of and apparatus for repairing fabrics



April 9,

W. H. LEAVIN ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING FABRICS FiledJan. 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l ufff' IIII IIIIIIIINS 'Il IIA April 9,1929- w. H. LEAvlN ET AL METHOD oF AND APPARATUS RoR REPAIRING FABRICS lFiled Jan. 23, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet Plil 9, 1929. w. H. LEAVIN ET 1.1,708,675

METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING FABRICS Filed Jan. 25, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 9, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.v

WILLIAM H. vLEAVIN AND SAMUEL B. LEAVIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS,BY lIMFSNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO GOTHAlVI KNITBAC MACHINE CORPORATION, OF NEWYORK, N. A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

'METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING FABRICS.

Application filed January 23, 1928. Serial No. 248,806.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for repairingfabrics and more particularly for repairing runs, ravels, droppedstitches, and the like, in knitted goodssuch -as hosiery, underwear,-andlike articles.

The object-of theinvention is to provide a simple and efficient method,and a p iictical apparatus for carrying out` the same of repairing runs,ravels, dropped stitches,

and the like, in knitted fabrics, such as hosiery, underwear, andsimilar articles.

A further object is to provide a method and apparatus of the naturereferred to which enables the repair of .knitted fabrics to be effectedquickly, easily and automatically without requiring the expenditure oftedious toil, care, or skilled attention on the part of theoperator incarrying out the method.

A further object is to provide a simple, efficient, and easilyconstructed and operated apparatus of the nature and for the purposereferred to and which is economical to manufacture and reliable inoperation.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in steps andoperations, and in theconstruction, combination, location, and relative arrangement of parts,all as will be more fully'hereinafter set forth, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views andreference signs appearing thereon,-

Figure l is a view partlyin side elevation and partly in vertical',longitudinal central section, of one form of apparatus embody- A ing ourinvention and suitable for use in carrying out the method of operation1n successively presented threads into loops and inter-engaging saidloops together, and of feeding devices for the fabric, the fabricsupporting cover or saddle being removed.

Fig. 3 is a broken view in horizontal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 4,looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the structure of- Fig. 2in top plan'with the cover or saddle in place.

Fig. 4 is a similar view in central longitudinal section on the line4-4, Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical transverse section on the line 5 5, Fig. 4,looking in the direct-ion of the arrows.

Figs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and ll are diagrammatic views illustrating thesuccessive steps employed and mode of operation involved in effectinglarepair of a fabric in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 12 `is a detached detail view in elevation of a portion of theapparatus conform of looping tool or needle capable of use in connectionwith the apparatus and in carrying out the method of our invention.

The same part is designated by the same reference character wherever itoccurs throughout the-several views.

It is a common practice for .commercial establishments engaged in themanufacture or sale of fabric products, particularly of products made ofknitted fabrics, such, for example, as hosiery, underwear, and the like,to extend to the customers of their products the offer to repair anyrun, ravel, dropped stitch portion, or t-he like, occurring in'the useby such customers of the purchased article. This practice has grown tobe an important feature of many of the larger estabof the fabric productfrom the effects of a run, ravel, dropped stitching, or the'like, hasbeen to manipulate by hand a specially constructed tool somewhat similartoa darn' and the exercise of skill. By reason of these' conditions thisrepair work is slow and expensive. .It is among the special purposes ofour present invention to overcome these difficul- 'ties and to provide amethod of repair of articles made from knitted fabrics, or of the repairof runs, ravels, dropped stitching, or the like, occurring therein whichis exceedingly simple, efficient, expeditious, economical and automatic,and also to provide aform of apparatus suitable for carrying out saidmethod which, likewise, is simple, efficient, and economical tomanufacture, and which does not require any special skill to operate? itin carrying out the method of our invention. y

In accordance with the method of our in- 4 30 vention We propose tosuccessively pick up and form a loop in each successive thread of thefabric Which extends tranversely across the run, ravel, or the like, tobe repaired and to interengage the successive loops each vvith the nextsucceeding one, the

fabric being advanced step by step in pre- 'determined timely relationto the loop forming operations, the successive transverse threads beingproperly spaced and presented 'L0 in such spaced relation to form theloops and to permit the one loop to interengage With thenext'succeeding-one, the entire op.- eration being accomplishedautomatically .in the several steps thereof.

AWhile We have shown and Will describe a structure of appara-tussuitable for carrying out these automatic operations, and Which We havedevised for the purpose, it is to be understood that in the broadconcept ofthe .50 method of our invention, the manner of carrying it outis not dependent upon any specific mechanical structure. The essentialsteps of the method are, as above indicated, the successive loopingl ofthe individual l threads which cross the run, ravel, or the like,l theinterengagement of tliefsuccessive loops, the properand timelylsuccessive spacing and presentation of the threads to be formedintoloops, the feeding or progression of the fabric, and the propertensioning of the interengaged loops, all these operations and stepsbeing carried out and accomplishedy automaticallyy and in timed relationto each other, So far as' the carrying out of ourl method is concernedthe particular structure of tool or needle employed to form a loop ineach succeeding .thread is immate rial,-as is also the means for spacingand presenting the successive threads so as to be .formed into loopsandthe means for the through one or more o f the precedingly lformed loops,thereby effecting the interengagement of the successive loops.

For the purpose of explaining thenature of our invention, and the mannerin which' and a form of apparatus by which the same may be carried out,We will refer to a run in a stocking as being the repair to be made. Itis to be understood, however, that our invention is equally Well adaptedfor repairing ravels, dropped stitches and other equivalent defectsexisting or developing 'in fabrics Whether such articles be stockings,underwear, or otherwise,

In Fig. 13 We have illustrated a portion ofa fabric, such, for. example,as a stocking,

having a runto be repaired, as indicated at 80, with threads C extendingtransversely auv 'across the run.A Now, in carrying out enr y' improvedmethod of repairing We forma loop, as indicated at b, in the firsttransverse thread c Where the repair operation is to commence. Thisloop,in carrying out the operation, is formed by picking or lifting upthe thread out of the plane of the fabric, as indicated in Fig. 7. Whilethis loop is being raised and held in raised position the fabric isadvanced a definite space ahead and the next succeeding transversethread o. is

brought Within the area of the loop b, pre-` viously formed, and is alsodefinitely spaced apart from the next succeeding transverse thread. Thepreviously formed loop b is then released and-another loop is formed inlthe next succeeding transverse thread o,

advancement of the fabric, of spacing of the transverse threads, offorming-the loops and interengaging them successively with each other,until the end of the run is reached -When the operation is stopped andthe repair finished off inthe'usual manner by hand stitching., Byapplying suitable tension in carrying out these several steps, thefabric is restored to its original condition, it being practicallyimpossible to distinguish therein where the repair was made.

lVe regard as important features of our process the consecutiveadvancement of the fabric a definite and predetermined distance duringthe formation of each loop, the uniform spacing apart of the successivethreads prej'iaratory to the formation of the loop therein, and theforinationof each succeedand characteristics thereof, we will now(lescribe a structure vof apparatus which we have devised for carryingout the same.

This apparatus, in the form shown in the drawings as illustrative of theprinciples involved, and of the best form in which we at presentcontemplate carrying out our invention, includes, generally, a base 1from which rises a hollow frame 2 having upper and lower 'laterallyprojecting arm portions 3 and 4 as shown in Figure 1. The upper arm 3terminates in a head 5 through which a tubular member or sleeve 6 ismounted to slide. A floating rod 7 is mounted in said member 6. At oneend the rod 7 is provided with a head 8 in which the loop piek up orneedle member is suitably clamped as by means of a set screw 10. At itsother end v11 is irmly held against the opposite end of sleeve 6.

The tool or needle is constructed, in this instance, as illustrated inFig. 14. The particular structure of the tool or needle illusmay be usedfor other classes of fabrics.

The needle here shown comprises, in general, a hook-shaped member 15,having a shank portion 9 and a latch .member 17 pivotally eoactingtherewith. The latch member 17 is normally held under the influence of aslight spring tension applied thereto by means of a spring 8l, fittedinto a slot in the shank 9 ot' the needle behind thepivotedl end of thelatch. Adjacent the hook portion 15 the shank is inclined at an angle asat 16. Ithas been found in practice in this particular type of needlefor repairing runs in hosiery, that the angle of the portion 16of theshank of the needle member should be preferably about 45 degrees. Thelatch member 17 should be of such a length that when itis closed uponthe bill ofthe hook portion 15 its lfree end will lie upon the tip ofthe hook. It has been found that the preferable length of the latchmember when closed on the4 hook is approximately .146 of an inch. Thewidth of the hook portion is proportioned so that when the latch isclosed thereon, said vlatch will lie at a predetermined angle withrespect to the bill of the hook. In order to hare/the latch coact withthe hook at the desired angle in closed position, it has been found thatthe preferable width of the hook portion 15 should be approximately .013of an inch.

The above specified proportions of the eleinents forming the structureof the needle and? the angles at which these elements are disposedin'i'espect to each other aie important for the proper functioning ofthe needle -in its coaction with the operation of the fab- `ric feedingand thread spacer mechanism as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

At a convenient point intermediate its length the sleeve or member G, inwhich the bar 7 is mounted, is formed with a forked projection 18 inwhich the end 19 of a rocking lever 20 is received, said lever 2 0 beingpivoted at 21 within the arm 3. A block 22 is slidably adjustable uponthe opposite end of lever 2O and is fixed iii place by suitable meanssuch as set screw 23. block 22 is pivotally connected at 2li with theforked end of a link 25 forming part of and projecting radially from aring 26 connectedV with or carried by an eccentric, the latter.

being mounted on the driving shaft 27, joui-- naled in the frame 2. Theshaft 27 carries a iywheel 28 (shown in dotted lines Fig. 1) and may bedriven in any suitable manner, as, for example, by means such as anelectric motor 30, a driving belt or chain and pulley 29. The motor 30is shown as secured to the base 1 of the machine in any suitable mannersuch as by bolts 30,

The lower arm t' of the machine terminates in a head 31 which is opentowards the opposed end of arm 3, and normally closed byV means of aremovable saddle 32. A wheel 33, having its peripheral edges serrated?to form teeth 34 and constituting what we term a thread spacer. iscarried by a shaft 35 journaled in the head 31. The shaft 35 is locatedso as to cause the serrated periphery of the wheel 33 to project to apredetermined extent beyond the outer surface 0f the saddle 32 through aslot 36 with which the latter is provided. rllie seri-ations or teeth 34of the wheel 33 are equally spaced apart to a predetermined extent inaccordance with the character of the repair work for which theparticular wheel 33 is intended. However we do not regard as ourinvention any preferred shape of the inclined The edges of thc teeth orserrations of these spacing wheels. Different wheels 33 may besubstituted having a different spacing of the teeth 34 to pmeet the'requirements of different repair operations on different fabrics andarticles and to coact with different structures of 'needles anddifferent fabric feed speeds. The wheel 33 is preferably made with twospaced apart annular portions, having an annular groove 37, betweenthem.

The annular vmembers of the wheel 33 are formed with coriesponding andrespectively matching or coinciding teeth 34. The annular space 37permits the needle 9 to pass between the annular portions of the threadspacer to the required extent in the operation o f the machine as willbe more fully described hei'einafter.

The thread spacer or wheel 33 may be rotatably advanced periodically andto a uniform and predetermined extent in any suitable inanner, as bymeans of a pawl 38, positioned to. successively engage the notchesbetween the teeth thereof and rotate the spacer wheel ina clockwisedirection the space of one tooth or more at a time. The pawl 38 isshownfpivotally connected to one end of a i'ock'lever 39 pivoted at 40within thearm 4 and provided at its opposite end (see Fig. 1), with asliding block 41 fixed in an adjusted position thereon by means of a setscrew 42. The block 41 is pivotally connected at- 43 with the forkedend. of a link 44 projecting from a ring 45 which,is carried by anothereccentric on shaft 27.

The pawl 38 may be held in engagement with the teeth of the spacer wheel37 in any suitable manner, as by the spring 46 secured to a removableplate 47 in any suitablernanner, as by bolts 48. spring 46 againstpawl38 may be' adjusted as, forexample, by means of a screw 49 mounted inplate 47. To prevent the pawl 38 from progressing the spacer wheel morethan one notched space at a time, a spring 50 is provided which issecured to the rocking lever 39 and is positioned to bear againstthepawl in opposition to the action of vthe spring 46.

The plate 47 is provided with an inwardly projecting `member 51 to whichis secured in any suitable manner, an arm 51a. Pivoted to the arm 51"Lis a pawl 53. Also secured to the arm 51a is a spring 52 which ispositioned so as to act against the pawl 53. The pawl 53 engages thenotches between the teeth of the spacer wheel 53 and with the help ofthe tension of the spring 52 .prevents vback lash or a counter-clockwisemovement of the spacer wheel.

- In operation upon each rotation of the 'main drive shaft 27 onecomplete oscillation is imparted to rock lever 39. This .causes onestepof rotative movement of predeter-- gears 58, 57.

The tension of device 33 thereby accurately and to a prei determinedextent spacing apart each of the succeeding threads which Across the runto be repaired thereby secuiing`a'ccurate and uniform spacing ofv saidtransverse threads.

W'e will now describe means to secure uniform feed or progression of thefabric to be repaired in proper timed relation to the step-by-stepoperationof the thread spacing device, and`to the operation of ltheso-called members 33 and .59 have respectively connected to them, or tothe shafts 35, 55, carrying them, the gears 58, 57. An intermediateshaft 54 mountedin head 31,.carries a gear 56 which respectivelymesheswith the In this manner each step of rotative movement` impartedto the thread spacer imparts a corresponding predetermined step ofrelative fabric feed movement to feed roll 59.

The machine further lincludes a presser foot carried by a presser bar 62slidably mounted in the headv 5-so as to position 'the spring fingers61, thereof on opposite sides of the slot 36 of the saddle 32 and sothat the said spring fingers are spaced a predetermined distance oneither side of the spacer wheel 33. A spring 63 interposed between theend of the presser bar 62 and the` opposedV operative position. Thescrew 64 is thread-y A its operative position. The cam. is manip--ulated by means of a-nger piece 67 which forms a pai-t thereof.

A presser roll 70 to cooperate with the feed roll 59 is mounted inpivoted links 69, and may be raised and lowered by manipulatingthe cani66, through arms 67, 68.

The wheel 70 is positioned to bear upon the wheel 59 and to rotatetherewith.

The space 73 between the spring. fingers of the presser foot (see Fig.3) Nmust be of such a width as to allow theproper disposal of the loopsof the fabric being repaired after said loops have been formed by theoperation of the needle and the, fabric is being advanced by the feedwheel 59 and its cooper- .L with the needle 9.

ating mechanism ,as will be presently explained.

Detachably mounted upon the head 31 of arm 4, in any suitable manner',is a member 74 shaped in such a manner as to form a support for thefabric to be repaired and while the repair operations are kbeing Ypel'-fornicd to facilitate the feeding of the same to the repairingmechanism.

The operation of the entire mechanism may be outlined as follows: y

Assuming that a run in a stocking is to repaired, the stocking is placedover the saddle 3Q, with one end of the run in registry The crossthreads of the run at this point are separated apart lfrom each other bythe teeth of the'k spacer wheel 33 which protrudes through the opening36 in said saddle. The presser foot 61 is then lowered to hold thestocking in place against the saddle 32and in proper relation to thethread spacer wheel. The lowering of. the presser foot also causes thepresser roll 7 0 to be lowered so as to grip the portion of the stockingbeyond the run between it and thc feed wheel 59. The needle is thenlowered by operating the wheel 28 by hand so that it descends throughthe Ifirst loop 7; of the run and down into the annular space 37 lof thespacer wheel as indicatrd diagrainmatically in Fig. 6. The

wheel is then rotated suliciently to raise the needle carrying with itthe loop b which is grasped by the hook of the needle, thereby raisingthe same above the plane of the fabric and into the position indicatedin Fig. 7.

displaced in clockwise direction and that the latch 17 of the needle isin raised or' open position being-held in such position Vby means of thespring mounted in the shank of the needle as previously described.

The motor 30 is then started and by reason of its operative connectionwith the pulley 29, the arms 2O and 39 are caused to be rocked on theirpivots 21 and 40.

The rocking movement of the arm 20 by reason of its connection with theslidable sleeve 6 Lcauses the bar 7 to raise and lower the needle 9 inand out of the space 37 of the spacer wheel 33. The rocking movement ofthe arm 39 by reason of its connection with the pawl 38 causes said pawlto advance the spacer wheel in successive steps in a clockwisedirection.

spacer wheel is timed with relation to the movement of the needle so asto allow the needle to dip into the annular space in the ls acer wheelwithout striking the next cross Itwill lbe understood that duringthisoperation the spacerA wheel is rotatively of the various parts theneedle 9 proceedsd to move from itsposition shown in Fig.` 7 and theloop b slides along the shank lof the needle. The4 sliding movement ofthe loop is facilitated by reason of the angularly disposed portion 16of the shank of the needle.

space 37 the spacer wheel progresses the next cross thread c of theAruninto such a position that the hook of the needle when it again movesAout of the space 37 will grasp and raise said cross thread c throughthe previously formed or raised loop b. It

`will be seen` that when the needle reaches the limit of its movement,into the space 37 (see Fig. 9), the loop b has passed over and beyondthe free end ofthe latch 17 and has forced said'latch back against theshank of the needle. The forcing of the latch into this position on thestroke of the needle into the space 37prevents the latch from becomingentangled with the next cross thread. vAs the needle again commences toascend, the loop b slides down the same and forces the l'atch downwardsso as to gradually close it upon the hook and just after the hook graspsthe next succeeding cross thread c the latch closes on the hook and theloop slides olf the needle as the needle continues its upward movementand the cross` thread c caught by the needle is drawn through the loop bto form a new loop. As the loop I) falls off the needle it is caughtover the teeth d of the spacer wheel (Fig. 11) and from there progressedbetween the wheels 59 and70. The action of the spacer wheel and theneedle continues in this manner until all the loops in the run arereestablished.A

It willbe understood that as the successive loops are interlocked witheach other by the above described'repairing operation the tensiondeveloped during the operative -steps of the needle, the spacer wheel,the feeding devices, and their cooperating parts, on the fabric willdraw the sides of the run together and will restore -the fabric to its.The progressive rotative movement of the initial condition.

When the inal cross thread c in the run has been reached andmanipulated, as above described, it is secured in place in the stockingor other fabric in any convenient manner, as for instance, by manuallysewing it into the fabric with an ordinary needle. If the run is amultiple run, it may be necessary to repeatthe above operation severalDuring this movement of the needle. and as the hook thereof passes intothef times by repassing said multiple run between the needle as. oftenas may ibe required; by multiplerun is meant. a plurality of runsnextadjacent to eachother.

. This application is a continuation in part of our application, SerialNo. 183,941, filed April l15, 1927, for machine for repairing fabrics. e

Various changes in the specific form of the machine and its parts anddetails, as shown and described', may be made Without.v departing fromthe spirit and scope of our invention. 1

What We claim as'neW and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. The method 'of 'repairingruns in knitted fabrics Whichcomprisesengaging 'and acting upon each thread Which extenils transversely acrossthe run to be repaired to uniformly space the Isame from its adjacentthread, automatically. looping successive spaced .threads through loopsformed in the respective preceding threads, under .substantially uniformtension and progressivelyfeeding the fabric.

2. The method of repairing runs in knitted fabrics, which comprisesautomatically engaging and acting upon each successive thread whichcrosses the run to 'uniformly-space the same from its adja- 3. Themethod of repairingl runs in knitted fabrics which comprises engagingand actingv upon threads which extend across a. run in the fabric tospace thel same, drawing the threads through loops formed in the saidpreceding threadsv under sub-` stantially constanttension andprogressing movement of the fabric.

4. The method of repairing runsl in knitted fabrics, Which comprisesuniformly and individually 4engaging and spacing apart from each otherthe threads of the fabric Which extend across the run in said fabric,and looping said spaced apart threads through loops formeelin thepreceding. threads.

5. rThe method of repairing runs 'in knitted fabrics', Which comprisesuniformt'ly and individually engaging and spacing apart from each other-the threads of the fabric Which extend 'across the run in said fabric,y and looping said spaced apart threads under substantially uniformtension through similar loops formed in the y preceding spaced apartthreads.

6. The method of repairing runs in knitted fabrics, which comprises`uniformly and individually engaging and spacing apart from cach otherthe lthreads of the, fabric which extend across'the run in saidfabric,.and looping said? spaced apart threads under substantially uniformten-4 sion through similar loops formed in the preceding lspaced apartthreads and fpromeans to draw each of said loops successively through asimilar loop formed in thepreceding thread.

8. In an apparatus for repairing runs in knitted fabrics, means forengaging and actingy upon each thread4 which extends across the run Atobe repaired, `to uniformly space -the same from its adjacent threads,meansto successively loop the succeeding threads which cross' the run tobe repaired, said means operating todraw each loop under Auniformtensionr successively through.

a similar loop formed in a preceding cross thread. y

9. In an apparatus for repairing runs in knitted fabrics, means vforengaging. and acting upon the succeeding threads of the run to berepaired, to uniformlyspace the same from the adjacent threads, means toautomatically loop the succeeding threads of the run to berepaired,-means coacting with said looping means to apply substantiallyuniform tension in forming said loops, -and'means to draw eaclisuccessive loop through the loop formed in the preceding cross thread.

be repaired, to uniformly yspace `the same from the adjacent threads,means vto* successively loop the succeeding threads of the run to berepaired, said means operating to draw each successive loop through asimilar loop formed in 'a preceding cross thread, and

means cooperating with said looping means to apply substantiallyconstant tension in the loop forming and drawing'operations.

i 11. In an apparatus for repairing runs in p kmtted fabrics, means forengagmgand acting upon the successive threads of the run to be repaired,to uniformly space the same from adjacent threads, means for forming aloop in each spacedlthread of the run to be repaired, means to draw eachsuccessive loop through the loop formed inthe preceding cross threadunder substantially constant and uniform tension, and means to auto-i.A

matically progress n the fabric.

12. In an apparatus for repairing runs in knitted fabrics, means forindividually encessive` fabric threads which cross the run to berepaired, means to form loops' in the' 'spaced apart threads insuccessive order,

and means to draw each loop through the loop' formed 1n the precedingcross thread.

13. In an apparatus for repairing runs in .knitted fabrics, means toengage and uniapart cross threads of a run, a hooked needle member,fabric feeding devices, and actuating means to operatev automaticallysaid spacer wheel, needle member and feeding devices all in timedrelation to one another.

19. In an apparatus for repairing runs 'in a knitted fabric,l a spacerhaving teeth knitted` fabrics, means t-o automatically ad- Vance thefabric uniformly and to individually engage and space apartthesuccessive fabriethreads which cross the run to berepaired,'1neans1to"form loops in the spacedapartV threads in successiveorder, means to draw each loop -under uniform tension lthrough the loopformed in the preceding cross thread, and means to hold the fabric undertension during the looping operations.

15. In an apparatus forrepairing runs in a knitted fabric, thelcombination with means to automatically and uniformly en gage 'and spaceapart-from each other in successive order the fabric threads which crossthe run to. be repaired, of a reciprocable needle member Ihaving ahooked engaging portion arranged to operate between successive spacedapartcross threads to engage said threads, and means to operate saidspacer means and needle memberin timed relation to each other 16. In anapparatusf'f'or repairing runs in a knitted .,fabrie, the combinationwith means to individually engage and uniformly space apart from eachother in successive order the fabric threads whichcross the run to berepaired, of aneedle member having a hooked engaging portion arranged tooperate between successive spaced 'apart cross threads, a fabricprogressing mechanism, and means to automatically operate said spacer,needle member and progressing mechanism in timed relation to Veachother.

17. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacerhaving teeth to` space apart from each other the successive Land meanscooperating with the spacer wheel Aand needle member to impose asubstantially uniform tension upon the loop forming and` fabric -threadswhich cross the run to be repaired, a needle member arranged to operatebetween successive spaced apart threads to engage and form loopstherein, each succeeding loop being drawn through the preceding loop,feeding devices to progress the fabric, and means to coincidentlyactuate said spacer, needle member and feeding devices in timed relationto each other.

18. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, Aa spacerwheel having peripheral teeth adapted to engage and space arranged inparallel rows and adapted to engage and space apart cross threads of arun, a needle member operating between said rows of teeth to form loops1n the successively spaced threads of the run to be re-A paired, andmeans to operate said spacer and needle member in timed relation to draweach loop through the preceding loop.

20. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacerhaving teeth arranged in parallel rows, a needle member operatingbetween said rows of teeth to form loops .in the successively spacedthreads of 'the run to be repaired, and means to operate said spacer andneedle member in timed relation to draw each loop through the precedingloop, said needle having an inclined portion to facilitate'the loopforming operation.

21. In an apparatus for repairing runs in al knitted fabric, a spacerwheel having parallel toothed peripheral portions to uniformly spaceapart .in successive order the fabric threads which cross the run to berepaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out-,of thespace between said peripheral portions, and between successive spacedapartcross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, andmeans to operate said spacer wheel and needle in timed relation witheach other to draw each succeeding loop through the preceding loop.

22. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacerwheel having parallel toothed peripheral portions to uni# formly spaceapart in successive order the fabric threads which crossvthe run to berepaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out of thespace between said peripheral portions, and between successive spacedapart cross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, meansto'operate said spacer wheel and needle in timed relation with eachother to draw each succeeding looprthrough the preceding loop,

drawing operations.

23. an apparatus for repairing runs in a. knitted fabric, a spacer Wheelhaving parallel toothed*peripheral portions, to uniformly space apart insuccessive order the fabric threads which cross the run to be repaired,a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out of the space betweensaid peripheral portions, and between successive spaced apart crossthreads, to engage the crate vsaid spacer Wheel and needle in timedvlatter' and form loops therein, means to eprocate into and out of thespace between saidy peripheral portions, Vand between .successwe spacedapart cross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, meansto operate said spacer wheel and needle in timed relation with eachother to draw each succeeding loop through the preceding loop, and,l

a manually operable pressure foot cooperating with the spacer wheel tohold thefabric inV position during the loop forming and drawingoperations.

c 25. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacerwheel having parallel toothed peripheral portions `to luniformly spaceapart in successive order the fabric threads which cross the run to berepaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out of thespace between said peripheral portions, and between successive spacedapart cross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, meansto operate said spacer wheel and needle in timed relationy witheachother to draw each succeeding loop through the preceding loop, a

feed Aroll and a pressure roll cooperating therewithL .to' feed` thefabric, the spacer wheel and needle actuating means also operating toactuate said feed roll.

26. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacerwheel having parallel toothed peripheral v.portions to uniformly spaceapart in successive order the fabric threads which cross the run to berepaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out of thespace between said peripheral portions, and between successive spacedapart cross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, meansto op` crate said spacer wheel and needle in timed Y relation with eachother to draw each succeeding loop through the preceding'loop, and amanually controlled presser foot having spring fingers to straddle saidspacer wheel and hold the fabric in position. f

27. In an apparatus for repairing runs in va knitted fabric, a framehaving spaced apart arms, a needle member mounted in one of said armsand spacer devices mounted in the other of said arms, the latteroperating to uniformly Vspace apart from each other in successive orderthe threads of the fabric which cross the run to be repaired,

and means mounted in said framework to coincidently operate said needleandjspacer devices.

In testimony whereof we have Ihereunto set our hands on this 21st day ofJanuary A. D., 1928.

WILLIAM LEAVIN.- SAMUEL B. LEAVIN.

